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I guess what I'm saying is that IMO the AEB-L is much harder than the Gin-3. Each sharpens a bit differently, but neither one is difficult. To me, edge retention of the AEB-L is superior to the Gin-3, but both are excellent. I've never had any issues with chipping of the Gin-3. If I had to make a choice between the two, other factors being equal, AEB-L would win every time.

As stated previously, a big factor is the HT. Again, the Tad that I have in Gin-3 is nowhere close to 65, probably more like 59-60, which is about what they claim. I'm curious to know where is the 65-69 info coming from? I don't think you can compare the HT of the G-3 to some other makers............

Here's some info on a Tad in Gin-3 from a pretty reliable source:

The knife is available in two flavors of Hitachi steels: G3 stainless or Shiroko carbon. Shiroko knives can be pretty hard to find; but if you go through aframestokyo.com or the manufacturer and are willing to wait, it can be done. This review is largely based on experience with the Inox (G3).

The "Inox" versions are made with Hitachi G3 and are, in my opinion, the best G3 knives available at any price. So good in fact, they're the equal of any stainless knife -- including metallurgical powders. Maybe not in the sort of edge holding that's associated with ridiculously high hardness, but better edge taking. Besides, extreme hardness is usally more obstacle than advantage.

Both alloys take edges extremely easily. Shiroko probably gets a little shaper and probably does it more easily; but the difference is slighter than you might think. Whatever Tadatsuna does (or has done) in terms of hardening, hits the sweet spot for G3 like no other manufacturer. The Tadatsuna G3 is remarkably better than Hiromoto's G3, for instance, and Hiromoto is no slouch!

Tadatsuna's Shiroko is also Shiroko at its best.

Both alloys have extremely good edge holding properties. Those are amplified by the geometry. No matter how dull the knife gets, it refuses to "wedge."

As is fairly typical for these alloys the G3 knives are hardened to around 60 RCH, and the Shiroko to around 63 RCH.

Not sure if any of this is applicable to the OP's question, but good info.............

Rich

_________________"The best way to get better is to leave your ego in the parking lot."----Eddie Wood, 1994

We discovered that he had been educated beyond his intelligence........

Student of Rigonomics & Gizmology

WickedSharp

Post subject: Re: konosuke ginsanko/silver 3

Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2012 9:08 am

Joined: Sun Apr 22, 2012 3:23 pmPosts: 205

You make a good point that it is not always helpful to compare steel from different blacksmiths. For example, Watanabe often hardens his blue steel #2 to HRC 65-66, which many believe is too hard. Most other blacksmiths will harden blue steel to HRC 59-62, which seems to work better.

In addition, there are other factors than type of steel that determine the quality of the blade, as Muurray Carter states in an interview with Mark Richmond available here http://www.chefknivestogo.com/inwimuca.htm

That is why I would like to hear about the Konesuki Blue #2.

In any event, certain steels have general characteristics. CPM154 is harder to sharpen than white steel #1, and D2 steel is harder to sharpen than CPM154. I believe that G-3 steel is harder to sharpen than AEB-L, and has better stain resistance than AEB-L, regardless of the blacksmith.

_________________WickedSharpZen in the Art of Knife Sharpening“If one really wants to be master of an art, technical knowledge of it is not enough. One has to transcend technique so that the art becomes an ‘artless art’ growing out of the Unconscious.” Eugen Herrigel

Knife Fanatic

Post subject: Re: konosuke ginsanko/silver 3

Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2012 3:11 pm

Forum Moderator

Joined: Thu Apr 19, 2012 2:34 pmPosts: 2023

AEB-L is really hard to beat, and the Artifex #2's get ridiculously sharp. I kinda want to shave with one.....

...agreed wholeheartedly....but for some there is the issue concerning better edge retention as well....

Now, a combination of ridiculous sharp and unsurpassed edge retention.....wow.....enter M390....for the moment that is.......hint/hint.....busy with a K390 unit.....

.....bite me......

_________________PICKLED IN SQUADRON RUM

Labor of love

Post subject: Re: konosuke ginsanko/silver 3

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 9:49 pm

Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2012 10:58 amPosts: 93

so ive been rereading this post and im not really sure why i wanted to compare ael-b to ginsanko in the first place. however, ive read that ginsanko is very similar to 1927c especially on paper. i like 1927c probably more than ael-b so maybe these konos will work for me. like others have said, its all about a good heat treat and getting the steel to the proper hardness but i cant imagine konosuke screwing that stuff up. kind of a bummer nobody has experience with this new line yet, i guess ill take the plunge soon enough. thanks again for the input everybody.

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